June 25, 2020

Winners of annual Pro Life Poster Contest and artwork, pages 12-13

Spirit atholic C THE

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

JUNE 25, 2020 • VOL. 25 NO. 7 • $2.00

On the first weekend after restrictions on residents of New Jersey were eased regarding the number of people who could attend an event indoors, Mass was celebrated for as many as 50 people for the first time at churches in the diocese since they were suspended March 19. In photo, from left, Msgr. Robert J. Zamorski, rector, Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Metuchen, and principal celebrant; Father David Wejnerowski, parochial vicar and concelebrant, listen to Deacon Kenneth Hamilton proclaim the Gospel June 14.

— Mike Ehrmann photo

INSIDE Perspectives Our Faith

Helping Hands

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Classifieds

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Diocesan Events

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Parish ministry donates hundreds of items to help needy women. . .3 This issue was mailed on June 23 Your next issue will be July 30

2 UP FRONT

Racism: sin that divides human family, lies within hearts Bishop James Checchio As we continue to respond to the global pandemic of COVID-19 and its impact on our health and our economy, the social disease of racism in our country has also come to light in a compelling way. During this already difficult time, confusion, mistrust, anger and anxiety have all helped to bring to light an extremely contagious and dangerous outbreak of hate.

We are all equally made in the image and likeness of God. Racism occurs when this fundamental truth is ignored. It denies the teaching of Jesus and our common, created humanity.

Racism is a sin that divides the human family.

Sadly, over the past few months, with the spread of the coronavirus, we have seen this division. Members of the Asian-American community became targets of hate and scapegoating, blamed for bringing and spreading the virus to the United States. There have been reports of verbal harassment, shunning and discrimination against Asians and people of Asian descent across the country, as well as around the world.

The pandemic has also laid bare the structural inequities in healthcare, economics and the criminal justice system all at once. This is evidenced by the disproportionate number of COVID-19 deaths among African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans.

For instance, while African Americans make up only about 13 percent of the population, they represent nearly onethird of U.S. deaths from the virus.

The tragic killing of George Floyd, points to a growing number of injustices against people of color and highlights the need for systemic

reform and an end to discriminatory practices.

In November 2018, in response to the persistent evil of racism in our country, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a pastoral letter entitled, “Open Wide Your Hearts — the Enduring Call to Love.” Recognizing that racism still profoundly affects our culture, the pastoral letter is a call to a “genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel change, and the reform of our institutions and society.” The document calls each of us to spend time understanding our role in enabling racism to continue to impact our communities and prompts us to take action.

We need to address this national plague with the same intensity we are using in our efforts to eradicate the COVID-19 virus. The root of racism is never “someplace else” but rather it lies within the human heart. We each can contribute to a civilization of love or of hate. Racial healing begins by a greater acceptance of our own humanity as a gift from the Father, and then, a recognition that every person is a child of the One Father. Let us turn to Our Blessed Mother and ask her for the graces needed to overcome the evil of racism and build a just society. Let us ask that prejudice and animosity no longer infect our hearts or minds but be replaced with a love that respects the dignity of each person.

Gratefully, there have been some very good pastoral responses in our diocese to the wound of racism. As you know, we have gathered as a diocesan family in a time of sustained prayer as our first greatest strength. Pope Francis at a recent general audience in Rome asked us to turn to the “the Divine Heart, full of peace and love where we can entrust all the anxieties of our hearts and our imperfect love.

From the pierced heart of the Savior flows, for all humanity, the source of

Catholic Spirit

all consolation and the ocean of Divine Mercy. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like yours!”

In this month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we in our diocese have dedicated each Friday for special livestreamed prayer for justice, peace and healing in our nation. We began with a livestream prayer service from Holy Family Parish in New Brunswick at the Sacred Heart worship site. Our Director of Vocations, Father Mauricio Tabera Vasquez, presided. Father Alphonsus Kariuki, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Dunellen and coordinator of the African Apostolate, presided there at our second prayer service. I presided at the next livestreamed service on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, June 19, at our Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen. Our Vicar General, Father Timothy Christy, will preside at the final prayer service on the last Friday of the month, June 26. It will be livestreamed from The Church Sacred Heart of Jesus in South Plainfield.

I am grateful, too, that all our parishes are participating in a novena to St. Katherine Drexel, the patron saint of racial justice; the saint we pray to for an end to racism. This began June 19 and will end June 27. Sustained prayer will pave the way to peace and

justice in our land.

In addition to our livestreamed prayer services, I have also held a listening session with some of our black students from our Catholic high schools. It was enlightening but painful to listen to how racism has affected their lives. They also expressed hope as the response by so many, uniting together to address this scourge, has been inspirational to them. We are blessed by our youth, again!

Please know of my love and concern for all of you. At its foundation, racism is a spiritual problem. We cannot overcome it by our determination alone but need God’s help. We are blessed with the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance to assist us. As the world at times seems to be moving further away from God, we all must recommit ourselves to seeing with eyes of faith. God our Father looks with love at each of us. May we have His vision, the vision of the Kingdom of God.

Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA Bishop of Metuchen

JUNE 25, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

THE

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

Serving the Catholic community in Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties

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Welcome Back Bishop James F. Checchio greets members of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Metuchen, as they wait in their cars to receive the Eucharist on May 24. It was the first public distribution of holy Communion at the Cathedral in more than two months.

— Gerald Wutkowski Jr. photo

ANNOUNCEMENT In the past, “The Catholic Spirit” has published its Milestones supplement honoring clergy and deacons in May or June. This year, it will published in the fall at a date to be determined.

of the

SPECIAL FEATURE

Where in the diocese can it be found?

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Image Week

Parish charity donates filled handbags to women, teens

By Alexandra Gillett Correspondent Four years ago in Green, Ohio, Lynda Dodson was battling cancer.

However, rather than focus on her own condition, Dodson and her younger sister, Cindy Rutherford, decided to find a way to help other women going through their own challenges. Her goal was to give women some basic necessities, but also some little “feel good” items that needy women might not normally be able to buy for themselves such as a nicer handbag and make up. And so, “Lynda’s Helping Handbags” was created.

Word of mouth and social media helped to make the effort a great success. Donations came from across the country. In 2017, a unique offshoot of “Lynda’s Helping Handbags” was established at St. Catherine of Siena

Last issue's image...

Top of page, Gail Jacobsen (left), a member of the Rosary Society at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Pittstown, and co-chair of Lynda's Helping Handbags charity, greets Jeff Freidman, founder of Livingston Philanthropists, Newark, during a delivery of handbags. Above, members of the Rosary Society at St. Catherine's pose with Father Chester Zalubski, pastor.

— photos courtesy of Jeff Friedman and Donna Gallagher

Continued on page 7

The image, which was featured on page 3 of the May 25 issue of The Catholic Spirit, can be found at Blessed Sacrament parish, Martinsville.

The winner is...

Al Berino, parishioner at Blessed Sacrament, Martinsville.

To be a winner, you must call (732) 562-2424 after 9 a.m. Monday.

The first caller to correctly identify the image and its location will receive a one year subscription, renewal or gift subscription to The Catholic Spirit. Those who correctly identify an image are not eligible to take another guess for 90 days.

JUNE 25, 2020

Since Lynda's Helping Handbags was established at St. Catherine's, members of its Rosary Society have collected, cleaned and filled with personal care items 676 new or gently-used handbags.

ily and friends. Noting that this project is just one of a number of efforts run by the Rosary Society, Gallagher and Jacobsen expressed appreciation and gratitude at the “very generous” response of the parish community.

Each fall, members of the ministry enjoy getting together to sort, clean and fill the new or gently-used handbags for women and teenagers with 10 to 12 donated items, as well as rosaries when available. They also add a tag to each one assuring the recipient of the thoughts and prayers of the Rosary Society and the text of the “Hail Mary.”

Since LHH was established at St. Catherine’s, the Rosary Society donated 222 filled handbags in 2017, 145 in 2018 and 236 in 2019. Gallagher said that while she initially was not certain the Rosary Society would have time for such an undertaking, LHH has been a “great experience” for both the beneficiaries and the women of the ministry.

She noted that “everyone has fun, and feels good about it” when they get together to work on the project, and making the deliveries to the recipient

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Parish, Pittstown.

Donna Gallagher, a member of the parish’s Altar Rosary Society, had been introduced to LHH by Rutherford, her childhood friend, in Green.

The Rosary Society is a group of about 30 to 40 women who pray the rosary together, but also meet to hear speakers and try to serve the parish and local community.

Service projects include donating Thanksgiving baskets to St. Phillip and James Parish, Phillipsburg, and organizing events such as coat drives for children, Christmas Giving Trees and bake sales. They took on the LHH project very enthusiastically, and member Gail Jacobsen volunteered to serve as co-chair with Gallagher.

At first, the project stayed mainly within the Society and there was a very generous response. As the project grew over the next two years, however, the Society began to reach out to the rest of the parish and then neighbors, fam-

4 PERSPECTIVES

Perhaps there is a little of Nicodemus in everyone Body & Soul

By Father Glenn J. Comandini, STD Nicodemus appears only in the Gospel of John. In fact, the evangelist dedicates the first half of chapter 3 to this man.

[John 3:1-21] Nicodemus represents a group of people of good will, who look favorably toward Jesus. Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus as a teacher come from God. In fact, he calls Jesus “Rabbi,” thereby indicating that Jesus is saying things worth considering. Nicodemus is both a ruler and a Pharisee, which, John suggests, means that he is a person from the higher echelon of Judaism.

While Nicodemus is of good will, John the Evangelist points out that this man is, nevertheless, theologically inadequate. Why? At this time in Judaism, certain rabbis were followed because they performed miracles. Believing in anyone based solely on the performance

of miracles alone is a power-play. It’s insufficient faith, notes John, because Jesus is not merely one of your great rabbi-wonderworkers (which Nicodemus understood him to be).

So, Jesus, through the pen of John, challenges Nicodemus, who is a good man, to go further in his understanding, if he dares to become Christian. Jesus instructs with authority: “…no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again.”

As soon as Jesus speaks, he shakes Nicodemus of his wrong rational convictions. His words “born again” immediately trigger in the Rabbi’s head a blunt fact: “we’re not dealing with someone earthly here but someone supernatural.”

Moreover, Nicodemus knows that the phrase “Kingdom of God,” used only once in John’s Gospel, is a synonym for “eternal life.” Nicodemus struggles with the question: “How can I be born into this eternal life?” But, he gets distracted by the phrase “born again” and concludes that Jesus is talking about a physical re-birth, which he knows would be anatomically impossible or it would have to be one of those miracles that

made some rabbis appealing. So he asks: “But how can a man be born again?”

Jesus responds, “A person is born physically of human parents, but is born spiritually of the Spirit.” [John:3:6] Continuing, Jesus helps Nicodemus to understand “eternal life” by putting it into perspective. Eternal life, like any grace, is not a matter of human effort or accomplishment. It’s the result of ‘being born from above,’ in other words, it’s a gift from God, mediated to us through his son, Jesus. Once you have accepted Jesus into your life, which we do through baptism, you have accepted the grace of salvation, which is to say, the gift of eternal life.

John, however, is more than an evangelist, he’s a clever preacher. He doesn’t use big words like “supernatural,” which seem abstract and might confuse others; instead, remembering the words of Jesus, he makes a great analogy between wind and spirit. He writes: “The wind blows where it wills.”

Wind is very mysterious. We don’t know its origins or goal. Just like we don’t know why one member of our family is a believer and another is not.

But it’s real. Because the wind is perceptible in its known effects, the experience of the wind makes it real for us. So it is, analogously, with divine life. Maybe we do not completely understand the origin of grace, but we know it is for real because we experience it, that is, we can see its effects in peoples’ lives.

Christians take their whole lives and examine it through their faith. Wind and spirit — both are real — we know this by our experience of their effects.

Nicodemus’ misunderstanding of what it means to be born again underscores John’s genius. Unlike Matthew, Mark and Luke who teach that eternal life is given to believers after death, John is of the opinion that we are born children of God. From the very start, we are gifted, our whole life then becomes a response to this gift from God. “How do our lives exude gratitude for being gifted, children of God?” That’s our challenge, which we can embrace with gusto or, like Nicodemus, we can go through life and, despite our intelligence, kindness, charity, just not get it!

Father Comandini is managing editor of “The Catholic Spirit.”

Catholic view on immigration mirrors God’s call to love kill the infant. Our Savior himself lived as a one another (1 John 3:11). It is a personal refugee because his own land was not safe. invitation to see Jesus in the immigrant and A Catholic worldview begins with the real- The Catholic Church has long espoused to minister to them as we would have ministered to Jesus. From ization that God created every human be- an ethic of “welcoming perspective, we can ing in his image out of love for that person, the stranger,” while also The Gospel does not this recognize that the “diviso that person could be absolutely happy recognizing the right of with him for all eternity. In learning from a sovereign nation to blind citizens to realities sion” and “negative view of immigrants” are rootsome of history’s worst moments such as enforce its borders. Govthe holocaust, we should recognize how ernments must regulate such as immigration, but ed in a “crisis of faith.” wrong it is to not treat other human beings the borders with justice stimulates a desire to Only through faith can we imitate Christ in and mercy and the limiaccording to their God-given dignity.

Every member of the Church is called tation of immigration know the world as God’s welcoming and ministerto the stranger, the to communicate a Christian vision of im- should be based on juscreation and to love the ing poor and the vulnerable. migration. Despite someone’s immigration tice, mercy, and the comstatus, society cannot ignore the basic hu- mon good. stranger, the neighbor, Again, we see why fostering personal intimacy Catholic Social man rights of each undocumented person: food, shelter, education, and earning an Teaching rejects the idea and the refugee as you with Jesus Christ and communal witness to honest living. In moments of injustice, that migrants are “taklove yourself. his love and mercy is Catholics are called to exercise the theo- ers,” illegitimately seekindispensable in solving logical virtue of charity, which is given to ing to appropriate the us in baptism, so that we can exercise it in goods of others. The Catholic Church has today’s immigration crisis.

Forced displacement of people is at always recognized the need to care for the imitation of Christ.

Both the Old and New Testaments tell weakest and most vulnerable, and of course the highest level since World War II, with compelling stories of refugees forced to flee being in a strange land, or like in certain more than 65 million people displaced because of oppression. The New Testament cases, even facing racial persecution makes around the world and more than 22 million refugees. Immigration, however, is about begins with Matthew's story of Joseph and someone weak and vulnerable.

The Church’s view on immigration, much more than statistics; it is about famiMary’s escape to Egypt with their newborn son, Jesus, because King Herod wanted to in which every one of us plays a crucial lies; it is about real people trying to find a role, is consistent with God’s call to love better life. As Pope Francis stated, “Each migrant has a name, a face and a story.”

Like many others, in 2011, my family and I left our hometown in Ecuador If you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or you and moved to New Jersey. Leaving your know of someone who was, you are encouraged to report that abuse to local law enforcement, the New homeland is hard, especially for young Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873) or 1-800-835-5510 people. In many cases the decision to emi(TTY/TDD for the deaf), and also the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 (24 hours/7 days a week). grate was not theirs, but of their parents.

Last year, DACA, an immigration policy For more information on how to report abuse, visit our diocesan website: from 2012 that allows undocumented imhttps://diometuchen.org/healing

JUNE 25, 2020

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

By Allan Caballero

How to report abuse

migrants who were brought as children to be protected from deportation and become eligible for a work permit, was challenged by the current administration. The Supreme Court is expected to issue an opinion on the DACA case any day now, which will affect the lives of many nationwide. If the Supreme Court decision results in the abolition of DACA, some 650,000 young immigrants, many of whom are part of our local Church, would again be subject to deportation. More than 40 percent of DACA recipients have lived in the United States for 15 to 19 years with the other 40 percent living in the United States for 20 years or more. Many of these young immigrants have zero memory of their country of origin since they came to the U.S. as children.

They are living day to day with the fear that a simple traffic stop could lead to them being turned over to the immigration authorities and deported to a country they don’t recall ever living in.

Our Catholic identity is not dependent upon statistics but on the Gospel. The Gospel does not blind citizens to realities such as immigration, but stimulates a desire to know the world as God’s creation and to love the stranger, the neighbor, and the refugee as you love yourself.

Today, our local Church prays for the stranger, important values such as the right of families to live together and for our immigration laws to be based on justice, mercy, and the common good. Our Lady of Guadalupe, PRAY FOR US. Caballero is director, diocesan Office of Hispanic Evangelization

and the quality of physicians and affiliated healthcare staff can make all the difference, not only for outcomes, but for parent’s peace of mind.”

“Our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit incorporates the most advanced technologies available, but our speciallytrained physicians, nurses and support staff that deliver compassionate care are the real secret to patient satisfaction,” said Dr. Mark Hiatt, director of Saint Peter’s NCIU and chief of the Division of Neonatal Medicine at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital.

“Even in the midst of a pandemic, children have healthcare needs ranging from routine vaccinations to life-saving surgery and chemotherapy,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of Health Analysis at “U.S. News.”

“The Best Children’s Hospitals rankings are designed to help parents find quality medical care for a sick child and inform families’ conversations with pediatricians.”

“U.S. News” introduced the Best Children’s Hospitals rankings in 2007 to help families of children with rare or lifethreatening illnesses find the best medical care available. The rankings are the most comprehensive source of quality-related information on U.S. pediatric hospitals.

The “U.S. News” Best Children’s Hospitals rankings rely on clinical data and on an annual survey of pediatric specialists.

The rankings methodology factors in patient outcomes, such as mortality and infection rates, as well as available clinical resources and compliance with best practices.

For more information, visit Best Children’s Hospitals for the full rankings and use #BestHospitals on Facebook and Twitter.

The American Association of CriticalCare Nurses (AACN) recently conferred a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence on Saint Peter’s NCIU. This was the third consecutive Beacon Award for the unit.

The Beacon Award for Excellence — a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments — recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award with gold, silver or bronze designations meet national criteria consistent with Magnet® Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.

Saint Peter’s received its first silverlevel Beacon Award in 2014, becoming the only NICU in New Jersey to receive the award. In 2017, Saint Peter’s NICU received its second silver-level Beacon Award before receiving its recent gold-level award.

In addition to the “U.S. News and World Report” ranking and the Beacon Award for Excellence, Saint Peter’s earned The Joint

Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Perinatal Care by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards in maternal-fetal medicine. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects the organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care for mothers and infants leading up to, during and after birth.

“Receiving a Beacon Award for Excellence demonstrates a team’s commitment to providing safe, patient-centered and evidence-based care to patients and families. Creating healthy and supportive work environments empowers nurses and other team members to make their optimal contribution,” said AACN President Megan Brunson, MSN, RN, CNL, CCRN-CSC. “Achieving this award is such an honor and brings such joy to those who have worked so hard to achieve excellence in patient care and positive patient outcomes,” Brunson added.

According to Dolly Allen, MSN, RN-CCRN, manager of the NICU at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, “Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit continues to attract those with an extraordinary level of expertise, training and commitment which is so deserving of this award. When you add these qualities to the true compassion and care that I see in our NICU nurses, I’m confident that these nurses are right where they want to be.”

OUR DIOCESE

NEW BRUNSWICK — The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital was recently honored by two prestigious organizations for its extraordinary level of care and compassion.

“U.S. News & World Report,” the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has ranked The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital among the top 50 hospitals in the nation in neonatology in the new 2020-21 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings published online June 16. Saint Peter’s is ranked 46th and is the only New Jersey-based hospital to be recognized among the top 50 in this category for the second consecutive year.

The 14th annual Best Children’s Hospitals rankings recognize the top 50 pediatric facilities across the United States in 10 pediatric specialties: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery, neonatology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology and lung surgery, and urology.

“We are honored to be among the best healthcare facilities for neonatology,” said Dr. Bipin Patel, FAAP, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Physician-inChief at Saint Peter’s Children’s Hospital.

“Having a child in the neonatal intensive care unit is a stressful time for parents, but confidence in the destination you’ve chosen

5

Diocese-sponsored hospital receives two prestigious awards

Students brought closer to Christ through classical education

By Mitchell Palmquist Catholic News Agency

to explain the changes, and while many families are supportive, some have decided to move to neighboring schools.

Heather Morrisson, a parent of St. Charles’ students said she is excited for the change in curriculum. “I love that we are integrating religion into every aspect of the curriculum and I like that we are encouraging critical thinking in the students.”

Schlaich said the response from teachers has also been enthusiastic. “Our teachers are very loyal,” she said. “They are excited we are going to be digging deeper, looking at deeper meanings.”

“We are excited,” Father Soler said.

“It is a challenge, but overall, I think it will be good. It will attract families who are not served by Catholic schools now. The school is part of the life of the parish. The mission of the parish, like every Catholic parish, is to evangelize. I hope the school will help bring the students to a deeper knowledge of Christ.”

Links to stories about schools in the Diocese that offer a classical liberal arts education: www.catholicspirit.com/ news/st-ann www.catholicspirit.com/ news/IHS

JUNE 25, 2020

the kids to grow in a coherent base, where everything is understood as a whole, before they can go to different specifications.”

A classical education can seem oldfashioned to many, and in a way, it is. The roots of classical curriculum go right back to ancient Greece. The educational model continued to develop in Mediterranean and European countries. The curriculum is not stuck in the past though; technology is incorporated into the classroom on an as-needed basis and the curriculum meets current educational standards.

What about Latin? The students at St. Charles will learn Latin, starting in kindergarten. The study of one or more of the classical languages, Greek or Latin, is a hallmark of classical schools. Soler will teach the students Latin himself, having an extensive background in the language.

Schlaich said that compared to a typical secular, modern school, the focus of a classical school is on “cultivating wisdom and virtue.” The school does this by “teaching the students Latin, exposing them to high quality literature, and focusing on appreciation of beauty, goodness, and truth.”

After the change was announced in the spring of 2020, those in the school community had many questions.

“I have had a lot of positive feedback, [but] there is anxiety in some people, I would say, because it is a change, and there is anxiety with any change,” Soler noted.

Priest and principal met with families

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

SPOKANE, Wash.. — St. Charles Catholic School adds its name to a growing list of Catholic schools across the country that hope to find a renewal through an embrace of a classical liberal arts educational model.

St. Charles sits in a part of the Spokane metro area that is thick with Catholic schools. Four other parochial schools are within a 10-minute drive from St. Charles.

With so many Catholic schools in the area, the question for each school is, “what sets us apart?”

St. Charles’ decision to embrace a classical liberal arts model follows a track record of schools making the same transition. In Denver, Our Lady of Lourdes School had only 104 students enrolled when it decided to switch to a classical curriculum. The following year, enrollment increased to 180 and the growth has continued. In the fall of 2018, Lourdes opened a second campus.

St. Charles’ move to classical was not a forgone conclusion; the school has had several changes of leadership over the last few years. In 2019, the school welcomed a new pastor and principal, Father Esteban Soler, and principal Heather Schlaich. As school leaders looked at the future of the school, they hoped to bring stability and growth to the school.

Soler said he “has a heart” for classi-

cal liberal education and for the humanities. Growing up in Argentina, the priest was classically educated from sixth grade through high school. For Schlaich, the appeal of a classical liberal arts curriculum was multifaceted.

“In doing our research, we found it is an idea that is spreading nationwide,” she said. The emphasis on the arts also impressed Schlaich, whose background is music education.

“Knowing that we needed something new and exciting in our community, and knowing that there is a need to fill because there isn’t a Catholic elementary school that is classical in Spokane, we felt this is a niche we could fill,” she added.

The decision to fill a niche role with a classical curriculum is expected to help neighboring Catholic schools. Rather than competing for the same pool of students, St. Charles hopes to bring new families into the Catholic school system.

For those who are not familiar with it, the idea of classical education can seem mysterious. But Schlaich said there is a simple way to define the underlying principle of classical liberal arts education: “I would describe it as an integration of subjects with the faith.”

Explaining further, Soler stressed the unity of the curriculum, all subjects are rooted in faith and in the Catholic vision that all truth comes from God. “The curriculum is oriented to help

6 OUR DIOCESE

Parishes respond to needs of faithful during pandemic

By Christina Leslie Correspondent For nearly three months this year, parishes in the diocese shuttered their churches and suspended meetings, events and gatherings to keep the faithful safe during the coronavirus pandemic. However, because of the determination and ingenuity of clergy, staff and volunteers, members of these spiritual homes have been skillfully navigating the turbulent waters of this isolation in order to maintain, even strengthen, the bonds of the community and tenets of faith.

Looking at the ways some parishes are ensuring their parishioners might experience evangelization and catechesis proves the strength is in the message and its spirit-filled messengers.

Familiar Faces

The community of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Three Bridges, has employed numerous methods to assure its people might enrich and deepen their faith this spring, said Father Thomas J. Serafin, pastor.

“In addition to a subscription to [the Catholic book and video outlet] ‘Formed’ we gave everyone before the pandemic, we have a robust adult

faith formation team headed by Diane they realize there’s not much else we Luceri, which now offers morning and can do.” afternoon classes via Zoom,” Father Serafin noted. “We televise the Mass, ‘Sacramental People’ and the parishioners say ‘it’s nice to Though he jokingly compared the see our home, familiar slow emergence from faces and sanctuary and pandemic shutdown ministers.’

“This [coronavirus conditions as “hav“We also keep eving gone from the 19th pandemic] has eryone in touch with the century into the 21st,” church via e-mail blasts.” kept us together Father Thomas J. Walsh As for children’s and the members of St. at a time we offerings, he continued.

Bartholomew Parish are “In the past, I used the well to the new need to be pray- adapting Gold Book [of Catholic realities of worship.

Prayers] to teach the ing. We are going “There are blesschildren the parts of the ings in our midst,” said back to what is Mass, and now I have Father Walsh, pastor made my own videos essential and we of the East Brunswick for them to watch. We parish. “This has kept have a children’s liturgy appreciate things us together at a time we on the weekends where need to be praying. We more.”

I read the Gospel and are going back to what —Father Thomas J. give them a reflection. is essential and we apWalsh Religion teachers use it preciate things more.” and dismiss the kids like A parish subscripwhen they are at Mass. tion to the “Word on Fire” video series “People are hurting with the lack by Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron of the Blessed Sacrament and com- of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles munity,” he added, but noted that the is prompting feedback that bridges recent Communion services at his par- physical isolation, he noted. In a letish left his congregation “emotional, ter to his congregation, Father Walsh reverent and appreciative. The people explained, “We did this in order to reare kind and generous to [the priests]: main engaged with our faith and with

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all of you during this unusual time in our parish… Thanks to Flocknote, our parish’s e-mail and texting tool, we can now send you videos. We encourage you to participate in our parish discussions as together we draw deeper into the faith.”

And that invitation is being answered, he said. “Parishioners are leaving questions for me, people are talking, they are engaged,” Father Walsh reported.

The use of cameras installed for livestreamed Masses have been so successful, the pastor noted, that they have sparked future plans to evangelize using them.

“We will change the planned renovation of the sanctuary to include cameras,” Father Walsh said, “and I have plans to start a book club online this summer called ‘Take and Read.’ We can read together and discuss a book.

Also, I usually run a summer series on the Bible, for I miss teaching. Now we can use our cameras for this as well.”

The cautious steps toward reopening of the parish for Masses, and the ongoing Communion services, are answering a deep need in the hearts of his parishioners, Father Walsh added.

“We are a sacramental people. It is so important to be fed.”

Continued on page 10

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our parishioners,” he said. “The handorganizations is extremely rewarding. bags are donated to the women of the Among the local parish, most of whom are organizations that have modest means, taking “Our parishioners of benefitted from the docare of their families and nations in the past three doing without the extras truly appreciate years are The Women’s in life. Their first priority Transition Center, Phil- the bags and, most is their family and they lipsburg; The Domestic importantly, the would buy whatever it Abuse and Sexual Asis that their family needs sault Crisis Center of thoughtfulness and while placing themselves Warren County; the Receiving a handbag care that the Rosary last.

Flemington-based SAFE is, in a way, a recompense in Hunterdon; Our Lady Society puts into from above for all the sacof Mount Carmel Parish, rifices they make. sending them.”

Bronx, N.Y.; and Liv“Our parishioners ingston Philanthropies, —Father Jose Felix Ortega truly appreciate the bags Newark, which provide and, most importantly, the necessities such as food and clothing thoughtfulness and care that the Rosary to “the poor, homeless and disenfran- Society puts into sending them.” chised,” according to its founder, Jeff Friedman.

Members of the Rosary Society at St. “Once we met serendipitously and Catherine of Siena Parish, Pittstown, pose I learned about the wonderful work of with handbags before they were donated Livingston Philanthropies, we wanted as part of its “Lynda’s Helping Handbags” to donate right away,” Gallagher said. charity. Among the agencies that have “This could be the beginning of a received donations: Women’s Transitional wonderful association,” said, Friedman, Center, Phillipsburg; Domestic Abuse and who described the work of “Lynda’s Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County; and the Flemington-based SAFE Helping Handbags” as “wonderful.”

Father Jose Felix Ortega, adminis- in Hunterdon. The rosarians hope their trator, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish work inspires members of other parishes to had similar feelings. “We minister to the form their own “Lynda’s Helpng Handbags.”

— photos courtesy of the Rosary Society spiritual and, at times, material needs of

OUR DIOCESE

Continued from page 3

7

Ministry reaches out to needy teens, women with Helping Handbags

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JUNE 25, 2020

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8 OUR DIOCESE

— Frank Wojciechowski photo

— Frank Wojciechowski photo

Mobile Church

— Maria Bongiovanni-Corbet photo

Until the statewide restrictions regarding indoor gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic were lifted, parishes in the diocese celebrated outdoor Masses or distributed Communion in parking lots after a livestreamed Mass. Clockwise from above left, Father Michael G. Krull, pastor, Our Lady of Peace Parish, North Brunswick, blesses an occupant of a car and distributes Communion to another May 17. At a drive-in Mass on May 24 at Corpus Christi Parish, South River, Father Damian B. Breen, pastor, is shown in a grotto during the consecration and then distributing Communion. The liturgy was organized by the South River Knights of Columbus Council 3001. At an outdoor Mass at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington, June 7, two worshipers arrive in the parking lot. Later, Father Kenneth D. Brighenti, pastor, raises the host during the consecration as Father Matthew Marinelli, right, parochial vicar, and Father John Trigilio Jr., in residence, concelebrate; Deacon Anthony Cozzi assists. Father Leonard F.A. Rusay, pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Whitehouse Station, distributes communion in the parking at Our Lady of Lourdes Church May 24. Father Joseph Kabali, left, parochial vicar, St. Matthew the Apostle Parish, Edison, celebrates Mass outside St. Matthew the Apostle Church May 17. Deacon Ed Ciszewski assisted. In a letter to members of the diocese June 1, Bishop James F. Checchio outlined restoration of Masses with a congregation. Phase 1 began with the celebration of weekday Masses with a limited number of people (10 or less people present). Phase 2, which began June 12, allows for the celebration of Sunday Masses (with only a percentage of the church being used) with more than 10 people at daily Mass present.

Phase 3 will allow for the celebration of weekday and Sunday Masses with an increased number of people present; somewhat relaxed physical distancing; use of masks and specified procedures for the distribution of Holy Communion.

Phase 4 will allow for the celebration of weekday and Sunday Masses with an additional increased number of people present; additional relaxation in physical distancing, use of masks as optional and relaxed procedures for the distribution of Holy Communion. The link to the bishop's letter in its entirety can be found at https://diometuchen.org/restoration-of-masses-with-a-congregation

— Peter Barna photo

— Dominic Serao photo

JUNE 25, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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10

Faithful learn despite lockdown Miraculous Icon of The Mother of God “Helper of Mothers” or “Helper in Childbirth”

In a screenshot, members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Three Bridges, sing during a recent Children's Liturgy of the Word via the Internet. Clockwise from above right: Kelly Robison and Gina Raimondo, members of the ministry leadership team; brothers Isaac, Max and Alex Marchinda; and Anna Porrovecchio.

Continued from page 6

Priest, Prophet and King

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JUNE 25, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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“God’s love for you is not cancelled,” stated Father Hank Hilton, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Hillsborough, in March when public Masses were indefinitely suspended in the diocese. Indeed, the faith community is busier than ever, carrying out myriad prayer and service projects for both members and community alike, and its spiritual leader can be relied upon to find a bright light in the jumble of messages and challenges that is life during the coronavirus.

“The pandemic, despite its disastrous nature, presents us with once-in-alifetime learning opportunities. It gives chances to learn about prayer, about service and about building our community,” Father Hilton said. “It gives us unique opportunities to learn about the best ways to express God’s love in a frightened world… We are learning things that will help us live our mission even more effectively when the mess is over.”

Urging its members to fulfill their baptismal challenge to become priests, prophets and kings, St. Joseph Parish offers numerous opportunities to pray, serve and build community.

In addition to its Sunday and daily

livestream Masses, the parish offers the faithful the option to pray the rosary along with fellow penitents or attend a “Fireside Psalms with Father Hank” session. Outdoor prayer opportunities include the stations of the cross, strolling a prayer path or access to view the tabernacle to adore the Blessed Sacrament.

Children can enjoy the “St. Joe’s Story Hour,” consisting of about two dozen videos where friendly voices reach out to the youngest parishioners with appropriate tales, or participate in the “New Friends Project” by writing missives to area senior citizens.

Those wishing to donate to the Hillsborough food banks may either drop off supplies at the church or arrange for contactless collection at their own homes. A mask-making ministry, groups of volunteers to make wellness calls to the homebound, and special groups to aid seniors or those with special needs are also among the parish’s diverse outreach projects.

“We are learning much about praying together, about reaching out to the neediest among us, and about taking care of each other,” Father Hilton said.

“All of it helps us answer Jesus’ call in ways that multiply love now and will instruct us later.”

Virtual marriage encounter program offered Married couples in the diocese can obtain the benefits of a marriage encounter experience in the comfort of their own homes thanks to the Internet.

The Worldwide Marriage Encounter program, “Restore, Rekindle, Renew,” will be held Mondays and Thursdays from June 29 to July 23 via Zoom.

The presentations and activities are exactly the same as on a traditional Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend, presented by a priest and three Catholic couples.

The only requirement is a computer,

iPad or tablet with access to the Internet.

No prior knowledge of Zoom is necessary. Workbooks and hand-outs will be sent to you before the start of the series.

Married couples, priests and religious can register for the program at wwme-philly.org or by calling Al and Mary Liz Heumann at (610) 449-1859.

A $100 dollar application fee covers most of the cost, however, you will be invited to make a good faith offering at the end of the program. The fee will be waived for anyone with financial strains.

PISCATAWAY — Speaking to a group of young black people, all Catholic high school students in the Diocese of Metuchen, Bishop James F. Checchio, said, “I’m here to listen to you.”

“I have the awesome responsibility of guiding and shepherding the 650,000 souls of our diocese and I want to be the best shepherd I can, and so I want to hear directly from you,” the bishop added.

The virtual listening session, which included students from Immaculata High School, Somerville, and Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, was held June 12, nearly three weeks after the death of George Floyd, which sparked national unrest and protests across the country.

Acknowledging the struggles the students are facing in these days, first

in quarantine as a result of COVID-19 and now the visible reminders of the deep wounds caused by racism, Bishop Checchio asked them to share their experiences of encountering racism and how they are processing this historic moment to overcome racism in a world that has already been rocked by a global pandemic.

“I’m grateful for your sharing and I want to hear about you and your experiences,” he said. “I want to hear what you’ve experienced in life and how you view this situation that we’re all seeing.”

The bishop described the students’ stories as “inspiring and heartbreaking.”

According to Bishop Checchio, one of the students told him that his mother regularly has conversations with him, talks that could be expected from any parent. She says things like,

“Be the best you can be, push yourself to do great things, be careful and avoid getting into trouble.”

But, more than that, he added, the talks often take an emotional turn because “his mother also worries for her son’s safety as a young black man and the death of George Floyd only compounded her fear.”

“It saddens me,” Bishop Checchio continued, “to know that these young people face instances of discrimination, prejudice, and racism, and have encounters fraught with fear, leading them to ask themselves, ‘What can I do to eliminate my chances of dying or being another victim?’”

Likewise, the students agreed that being black in America is tiring. Even if they are not facing brutality, the students — one of whom will go on to study next year at one of the highest Continued on page 23

OUR DIOCESE

By Tara Smith

11

Bishop Checchio says racism is justice issue, spiritual crisis

Bishop James F. Checchio discusses racism and discrimination with four black students from high schools in the diocese via the Internet.

— Tara Smith photo

Pentecost Retreat calls Catholics to carry on Jesus’ mission

rather on the surface or even exterior to our hearts as something that happened 2,000 years ago?”

Bishop Checchio reminded the faithful that the day of Pentecost is not a “one-time thing happening long ago in a faraway place in that Upper Room,” nor a one-time event in the lives of Catholics today, but rather, he said “the Holy Spirit gratefully comes to us at each Mass” through the transubstantiation of the bread and wine.

The bishop emphasized, “Indeed, we pray today that the Holy Spirit may light a fire in our lives and that he may light a fire in our Church and in our world, that he truly enter each one of us and transform us into the type of disciples he needs us to be for our Church and our world.”

To watch recorded sessions from “A Church of Mission and Purpose: A Virtual Pentecost Retreat” and to watch the Vigil Mass of Pentecost, visit https://lightingheartsonfire.org/ pentecost-vigil.

JUNE 25, 2020

spoke of the Holy Spirit as life giving, dral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, the love between the Father and Son, Father Tabernero blessed those who and our advocate. “The Holy Spirit is had participated in the retreat and said leading us, let him in,” Vantslot said, he hopes they can take what they had adding, “he is the chief agent of evan- received, the gift of the Spirit, and be gelization and is meant to be shared.” open to how they are individually beIn his witness talk, Jose Lim, a semi- ing called. narian, shared how the Holy Spirit has In his homily, Bishop Checchio worked in his life. said, “Today, we finally celebrate that The retreat’s last talk was pre- moment when the first disciples were sented by two members of the Broth- enlivened by the Holy Spirit and filled erhood of Hope — Brother Patrick with enthusiasm to continue the very Reilly, director of the mission of Jesus HimCatholic Center at RutThey were not “We pray today that self. gers University, New only energetic, but now Brunswick and Brother with the Spirit they the Holy Spirit may Patrick Stucker, a become courageous, light a fire in our lives motivated and commitcampus minister at the center. They explained and that He may light ted.” how they evangelize He noted that bea fire in our Church on campus through cause of their enthusismall groups, retreats, asm, the disciples were and in our world; talks and other ways able to continue the of reaching out to stuwork of Christ on earth. that He truly enter dents. We are all called “The gift of the each one of us and to be disciples who Spirit transformed their help bring others to an transform us into the fear into faith,” he said. encounter with Jesus, “It motivated them from type of disciples He being self-preserving to they said.

One session of needs us to be for our being other-serving and the retreat was for the it changed the mission Hispanic community. Church and our world.” of the Church from just Oratorian Father Kevin an organization to a —Bishop James F. Checchio Kelly, parochial vicar, holy endeavor. Yes, the St. Joseph Parish, RariSpirit transforms lives tan Borough, gave a talk in Spanish and communities.” on “Springs of Living Water.” His talk The bishop also posed a question: was followed by a witness reflection “Do we truly believe that the Holy Spirit given Ethan Madera, a student who is can miraculously penetrate our minds, involved with the Catholic Center at our lives, our families, our fears over Rutgers. something in our lives or a relationship Before sending participants forth we have, or over this pandemic, or over to virtually participate in the Vigil Mass the unrest of racism which has arisen in of Pentecost, which was celebrated by our midst?

Bishop James F. Checchio at the Cathe“Or do we leave the Holy Spirit

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Diocese of Metuchen held “A Church of Mission and Purpose: A Virtual Pentecost Retreat,” online.

More than 350 people participated in the first-ever virtual retreat held the evening of May 29 and all-day May 30.

Father Michael Tabernero, parochial vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Annandale, who served as the emcee for the retreat, said for many the pandemic has caused them to feel a bit at a loss, but, reminded participants that “what the Holy Spirit does is make all things new.”

“That’s what we’re asking for this Pentecost, the fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit and to be able to receive him,” he added.

Virtually, faithful from throughout the diocese gathered to hear clergy, religious and lay people share their wisdom and faith in a series of presentations. Members of the Break Ministry opened each session with songs.

In the retreat’s first talk, Msgr.

Joseph G. Celano, diocesan Episcopal Vicar for Administration and pastor of St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish, New Brunswick, spoke about the mission and purpose of the Church born on Pentecost. He said it is our mission to bear witness to Jesus and our purpose is to become saints. “The Holy Spirit will equip us for our ministry,” he added. Then Lyra Saranglao, an active member of the Petros Young Adult Community, New Brunswick, shared a witness talk.

“Who is the Holy Spirit,” was the focus of the retreat’s second talk by Megan Vantslot, a member of Immaculate Conception Parish, Annandale, and a Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) missionary. She

12 OUR DIOCESE

Respect for Life Poster Contest winners announced The diocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity received 165 poster entries from 15 Catholic Schools and 10 Religious Education Programs for its annual “Kids Look at Life” poster contest. Students from grades one to

eight were asked to reflect on the theme: The U.S. Bishops invite us to be part of a Year of Service for Moms in Need from March 25, 2020 to March 25, 2021. Walking with Moms in Need. “How can you help Moms?

Many pregnant and parenting moms struggle. Some feel alone, others have lowincome jobs and many are overwhelmed with the daily tasks of raising their children.

They need our support.”

First Grade

Posters were judged on grade level, creativity and visual appeal. Winning posters will be used to create a 2020-2021 Respect for Life Calendar and awarded to all poster winners.

Third Grade 1st Place

1st Place

Kyle Portelas

Zoe Nelson

St. Bartholomew School, East Brunswick

St. Augustine of Canterbury School, Kendall Park

2nd Place

2nd Place

Dylan Malovetz

Bani Bhalla

St. Andrew Religious Education, Avenel

St. Joseph School, Carteret

Second Grade

Fourth Grade 1st Place

1st Place

Elisha Bulathwelage

JUNE 25, 2020

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Lea Misko St. Anthony of Padua Religious Education, Port Reading

St. Stanislaus Kostka School, Sayreville

2nd Place Juhilekha Sunil

St. Anthony of Padua Religious Education, Port Reading

2nd Place Tyler Wenger Immaculate Conception School, Spotswood

Dulce Acevedo

Assumption Catholic School, Perth Amboy

OUR DIOCESE

1st Place

13

Seventh Grade

Fifth Grade

1st Place Alesandra Badenhop

St. Bartholomew School, East Brunswick

2nd Place

Gianna Muscara

St. Helena School, Edison

2nd Place

Stephanie Nguyen

Holy Savior Academy, South Plainfield

Eighth Grade

Sixth Grade 1st Place

1st Place

Eric Olszewski

Victoria Aldridge

St. Augustine of Canterbury School, Kendall Park

St. John Vianney Religious Education, Colonia

2nd Place (tie)

2nd Place Evan Chin

Natalie Quinn St. Matthias School, Somerset

2nd Place (tie) Our Lady of Victories School, Sayreville

JUNE 25, 2020

Daniella Verlingo

FILLER

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

St. John Vianney School, Colonia

14 OUR DIOCESE JUNE 25, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Mini-retreat helps mothers cope, flourish during lockdown

By Karen Corpora Correspondent In this world full of pandemic uncertainty, parenting has taken on a whole new meaning and life as we know it has drastically changed. In the midst of all this uncertainty, more than 100 mothers took some much needed and well-deserved time out of their day to participate in a diocesan sponsored mini-retreat for them called “Nourishment for the Body, Mind and Soul.”

The retreat offered a trifecta of talks focusing on moms who are struggling through this new way of life resulting from COVID 19.

Held virtually via Zoom on May 16, the retreat, was organized by Cristina D’Averso-Collins, director, diocesan Office of Family Life Ministry, and Jennifer Ruggiero, secretary, diocesan Secretariat for Family and Pastoral Life. After the coronavirus began spreading, the retreat was planned as a way to provide nourishment for all moms who have undoubtedly been struggling in many ways during the pandemic.

“Our goal was to provide an opportunity for growth and flourishing through this brief respite,” D’Averso-Collins commented. “We are considering starting a mothers’ group of some sort. This was a

way to start the conversation for this new ministry.”

“This was somewhat of a local spinoff of the USCCB [United States Conference of Catholic Bishops] initiative ‘Walking with Moms in Need – A Year of Service.’ We wanted to do some outreach for moms during the difficult times around Mother’s Day,” Ruggiero added.

The retreat’s keynote speaker was Colleen Carroll Campbell, an award-winning author, print and broadcast journalist and former presidential speechwriter. She and her husband live in St. Louis, where she is writing books and home schools their four children.

“Right now, you are probably trying to steal a few minutes today to fill your own tanks before you head back into the brave new world of pandemic parenting.

Now is your chance to take a breather and let the Lord take care of you,” Caroll Campbell said. “We need each other and are not alone. Jesus tells us he will not leave us orphaned. ‘I will live and you will live.’ We are going to get thought this.”

She reminded participants that whatever is going on, Jesus is with us in the Church, his word, and the Eucharist. “Our spiritual communions really does count, and this might be a time of spiritual renewal where we can see God at work if we watch for him.”

Help for Homeless Michelle Cumberbatch and her son, Malcom, recently donated socks, deodorant and razors for the residents of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s Ozanam Inn, New Brunswick. The Ozanam Inn provides temporary and emergency lodging, meals, crisis counseling, assistance with housing and employment, case management and referrals to men who are homeless.

— Tina Foley photo

Above, left, Jennifer Ruggiero, secretary, diocesan Secretariat for Family and Pastoral Life, speaks to attendees of the “Nourishment for the Body, Mind and Soul” retreat via Zoom May 16. Speakers at the diocese-sponsored retreat included author, journalist and former presidential speechwriter Colleen Carroll Campbell, center; and Victoria Coglianese, owner of Wonderfully Made Nutrition.

— photo courtesy of Colleen Caroll Campbell, Karen Corpora photos

Caroll Campbell noted that pandemic to pray about their intentions and invite parenting raises the interesting question, God into the process. “This will make all “Is everything about normal worth return- the difference and give us the strength to ing to?” continue in the process.”

“Life in lockdown has reminded me Enza Cerami, the founder and execuwhy I wanted to be a mother in the first tive director of Living Stones Inc., spoke to place. It’s hard to do that the moms about taking when I’m always in a time to care for them”What if in the ashes selves in the midst of rush and days are jam packed. crisis, reminding of this pandemic we this “What if in the ashthem that self-care is not es of this pandemic we selfishness. “It means recover a greater recover a greater share figuring out what your share of something needs are so that you can of something amazing — freedom to live by amazing — freedom be nourished and thrive.

Christ’s standards inWhen you do that for to live by Christ’s stead of the standards of yourself you become a the world? We may disblessing to your children standards instead cover a new normal by and families. his expectations instead “We are grieving of the standards of of others around us and everyday normal life the world?” be able to produce more and our emotions are all — Colleen Carroll fruit that will last for his over the place. When kingdom.” you feel out of control, Campbell She concluded by just sit for a moment saying, “It’s a crazy time and take time to find out in a crazy world but God is in charge. The what you need.” She added that Jesus took patience, joy and freedom that Jesus offers time for himself by going off to pray. “He us are gifts that no virus can kill and no nourished himself by spending time with lockdown can cancel. We may look back his Father. He was not able to minister and remember as hard, strange and scary as to the multitudes without first nourishing the pandemic was, it was also a time of un- himself. The same is true for us.” expected blessing and spiritual growth and “Try to work on what you can control a time when we discovered that God can like a rhythm or routine for your day. Get bring good out of anything even COVID.” dressed as if you were going to work. Get Victoria Coglianese, the owner of creative with your fellowship and ask for Wonderfully Made Nutrition, spoke about help if you need it. If you are suffering faith-inspired wellness, saying that God with mental health issues like depression wants to be part of every aspect of our or anxiety, it is ok to reach out for help and lives even our fitness and nutrition plan. get whatever you need.”

“If we take faith out of the equation, we The retreat was very well received can’t stand and be truly whole.” and plans are being made for a follow up Pursuing good health enables us to session in June, the date to be announced. more fully serve God’s call and to bring The idea of starting a virtual mom’s others to holiness. “This is how we glorify group will be discussed. This will give God, through our health and wellbeing. the participants more flexibility whether a Our bodies are the vessels in which we mom of young or older children. Receivlive out our God given purpose. This will ing spiritual nourishment and fellowship lead us to the fullness of life and joy that without leaving home could be paramount God offers us.” She invited participants for many moms.

As I write this article, it is June 13 and the Church is celebrating the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. In 1946, Pope Pius XII gave him the title “Doctor of the Church” for his knowledge of Scripture. He is also considered by many to be one of the great evangelizers in the history of the Church.

Although, as one of our more popular saints, we know St. Anthony as the patron saint of lost and stolen articles.

Thus, many of us often pray to him to find something for us.

St. Anthony’s life is an example of what a Christian life is meant to be, and as we struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic his life is one to which we can all relate, probably more than ever before.

When confronted with challenges, St Anthony lived life with steady courage. He lived a life of love and forgiveness, and a life of trust and love in God. The last few months have certainly been a time of uncertainty and filled with challenges. We have all been called to prayer to strengthen our relationship with the Lord, to pray for the well-being and safety of our essential workers and to pray for all those who have fallen ill and have been impacted by the pandemic. Like St. Anthony, we can receive strength and confidence from our encounter with and dependency on God. Even during these uncertain times our mission to bring others to Christ has continued.

It has not stopped. Our mission has every person and inspires us to bring remained relevant and has even deep- others closer to Christ through a mesened during this time. Serving that sage of love, unity and hope. mission, even with the challenges we St. Anthony lived a life dediare recently faced with, is a priority, is cated to the needs and well-being of how our faith will continue and is how others. Through the Bishop’s Annual our Church as well as ourselves will Appeal, we can do the same. The Apbe stronger. peal ensures the The Bishop’s continuation of Presently, this year’s Annual Appeal the evangelization is an intentional and catechesis proappeal is at 91 percent and effective way grams in the Dioof its $7.2 million goal. to bring people to cese of Metuchen Jesus Christ. and within our Thank you to all who Presently, this parishes.

Other year’s appeal is at vital needs the have sacrificed your time 91 percent of its Appeal supports and financial resources. $7.2 million goal. include seminarian Thank you to all formation, youth Your contributions to the of you who have and young adult Appeal help to support sacrificed your related ministries time and financial diversity mininitiatives, services and the and resources.

Your istries. The Appeal contributions to is among the ways spiritual needs of all, but the Appeal help we can follow Jemost especially to to support initiasus, commit to him tives, services and and live life as a those impacted the spiritual needs Christian disciple by the pandemic. of all but most like St. Anthony. especially to those So, through impacted by the pandemic. Your con- prayer and reflection, please consider tributions enable Catholic Charities, a sacrificial gift to this year’s appeal Diocese of Metuchen, to provide life- and give to the best of your means. saving treatments and services to all With so many people negatively imthose in need. Just as important, much pacted because of COVID-19 it is of the work of Catholic Charities ad- important to bring people the opporvocates respect for life at every stage. tunity to be a part of our faith and the It reminds us of the innate dignity of work of God. All funds raised through

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15

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OUR FAITH

16

Limit on Masses?/Proper way to bury urn Q Pope Francis

AUDIENCE

Question Corner

May 6, 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on prayer, we now consider the prayer of Moses. The book of Exodus portrays Moses – from a human point of view – as a failure. Yet at a certain point in his life, he encounters God in the wilderness. From a burning bush, the Lord calls Moses to return to Egypt in order to lead his people to freedom.

But Moses, faced with the majesty of Almighty God and his demands, resists the call, protesting his unsuitability for such a great task. Nevertheless, God entrusts him with the responsibility of conveying the divine law to the people of Israel, and Moses becomes their great intercessor, especially when they are tempted or have sinned. With hands outstretched to God, Moses makes of himself a kind of bridge between earth and heaven, pleading for the people when they are most in need.

In this way he prefigures Jesus, our great intercessor and high priest. We Christians are also called to share in this type of prayer, interceding for those who need God’s help, and for the redemption of the whole world.

During the current pandemic, given the limitation on attendance imposed by civil authorities, we are planning

By Father Kenneth Doyle to hold simultaneous Masses in our church and parish hall. We anticipate having to hold a total of 11 weekend Masses, but there are only two priests assigned to our parish, with another one coming to help on a regular basis.

So my question is this: Can a bishop dispense from the limitation by which a priest may celebrate only two Masses on a particular Sunday? (San Jose, Calif.)

A

The governing statute in this regard is Canon 905 in the Church’s Code of Canon Law. It provides that, in normal circumstances, a priest is permitted to celebrate Mass only once a day. However — directly to your question — that same canon also says, “If there is a shortage of priests, the local ordinary can allow priests to celebrate twice a day for a just cause, or if pastoral necessity requires it, even three times on Sundays

Prayer Before the Crucifix

JUNE 25, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Can the cremation place bury my ashes in an urn in the ocean without my relatives and friends present? (The people close to me plan on having a memorial Mass for me afterward, without my ashes.) (San Francisco)

Q

Burial at sea is permitted by the Vatican's 2016 guidelines, so long as the cremated remains are not scattered over the waters but buried in a dignified and well-protected container (such as the urn you mentioned.) There is no requirement that relatives and friends be present, but it would certainly be nice to have a religious context to your burial.

Do you suppose the “cremation

A

place” could arrange for a chaplain to say some prayers at the ceremony? The Church’s Order of Christian Funerals has a beautiful prayer written just for such occasions.

It reads: “Lord God, by the power of your word you stilled the chaos of the primeval seas, you made the raging waters of the flood subside, and calmed the storm on the sea of Galilee. As we commit the body of our brother/sister N. to the deep, grant him/her peace and tranquility until that day when he/ she and all who believe in you will be raised to the glory of new life promised in baptism.”

It is very good that you are planning to have a memorial Mass celebrated later on, but might I suggest another possibility?

You could have a funeral Mass offered in church within a few days of your death, in the presence of the urn containing your remains. The urn would be placed on a small table near the altar — perhaps with a picture of you and some flowers, and sometime later the urn would be buried at sea.

If it were my own future at stake, I know that I would want to have a priest and congregation offering the Eucharist, the Church’s most powerful prayer, for me at the earliest opportunity!

Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfatherdoyle@ gmail.com and 30 Columbia Circle Dr., Albany, NY 12203

As lights of world go out, let love shine “What are we going to do without Mike?”

Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus while before Your face I humbly kneel and, with burning soul, pray and beseech You to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity; true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment.

While I contemplate, with great love and tender pity, Your five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me and calling to mind the words which David, Your prophet, said to You, my Jesus: “They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all My bones.”

Amen.

or holy days of obligation.”

Also, of course, a Saturday afternoon or evening vigil Mass can be celebrated, which fulfills the Sunday obligation. And note, by the way, that many dioceses have now extended the dispensation from required attendance while the coronavirus pandemic persists.

So, in regard to your own parish, with three priests — and the bishop's permission — you should be able to cover the 11 weekend Masses. I will say, from my own experience, that such a schedule will be wearing on the priests involved, so I would hope it won't need to endure for very long.

The words jumped off the page of a Facebook post. The writer was among the grieving following the death of a family member. As I read it, I felt a heavy emptiness, thinking of the thousands of Mikes who are missing from our lives because of this pandemic.

Suddenly, the grief of hundreds of thousands of loved ones, friends, family members and acquaintances, made me catch my breath in a painful moment of awareness.

Mike, like all those who have died, was more than just a number on a screen or data in a news report. A number doesn’t have a face. Numbers are so easily forgotten. Losing a piece

of data doesn’t cause us to grieve.

Numbers are easily tucked away in the back of our minds, but rarely find a place in our hearts.

Our dead were people whose lives impacted others. Mike was described as a beautiful soul, the source of special joy, comfort and peace, someone who made everyone’s day better, a light to those who knew him, a light to the world.

My God, I thought. As we argue over the accuracy of death toll numbers and face masks, and beat our chests, demanding our freedom to break free of quarantine, the lights of the world are going out.

I recalled a trip to Montana where I had the graced moment of sleeping under a sky filled with so many stars they seemed to hide the black canopy of night from view.

Now, in this moment of sorrow, I saw those glimmers of light dim and go out, one by one, until the darkness rolled over the light.

I thought about how blessed Mike’s family was to have such a bright light among them, bringing so much love and peace and joy to others.

And I thought about all those oth-

ers whose lives have been diminished in some way by the losses this virus has inflicted on them.

But the loss is not just a loss for others. It is a loss for all of us.

We, the collective community, have lost the minds and hearts and passions of more than 100,000 thousand souls; each soul with a place and a purpose in the world.

The loss is immeasurable. If we are going to beat our chests about anything, it should be this.

Leo Buscaglia, an American author, psychologist and professor, reflected on what it means to lose a loved one: “I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.”

He also reminds us of the need live to live life with an awareness of a difficult reality: “Death is a challenge.

It tells us not to waste time. It tells us to tell each other right now that we love each other.”

17

The wonder of Christ’s love Our readings this 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time focus on the depth of the relationship between Christ and his people, as well as on the radical demands this relationship places on the life of each disciple. The wonder of Christ’s love is revealed in these readings, as is the devotion which Christ seeks in return.

SCRIPTURE STUDY

By Msgr. John N. Fell Our second reading this Sunday is taken from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. In this section of the letter, Paul is writing about the power of baptism and the intensity of the relationship that arises between the baptized person and Christ Jesus. Paul asks, “Are you not aware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Rom 6:3). This question is meant to imply that baptism is first an entry into the death of the Lord; in fact, the original symbolism of the water of baptism was of a tomb. As the person stepped more deeply into the water and was eventually submersed, this symbolized descending with Jesus into the tomb.

The meaning of this symbolic “dying with Christ” was that, just as death brings an end to earthly ties and allures, so also baptism brought about an end to our attachments to sin and worldly desires; Paul explains, “When a man dies, of course, he has finished with sin” (Rom 6:7). Freed from concerns of the flesh, the baptized person would then be available to live their life totally for Christ.

Paul also mentions the reward for dying with Christ; he writes, “if, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him” (Rom 6:8). Just as baptism inserts us into Christ’s death, it also makes us part of Christ’s resurrection. Just as Christ rose to a new life of glory, we too rise to glorious lives as children of God, free from sin and heirs to God’s eternal kingdom.

Having died and risen with Christ, however, implies our total devotion to our Heavenly Father. The radical totality of this expectation is seen in today’s Gospel: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10:37). This

2 Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16a • Ps 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 • Rom 6:3-4, 8-11 • Mt 10:37-42 Acts 12:1-11 • Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 • 2 Tm 4:6-8. 17-18 • Mt 16:13-19 Am 3:1-8; 4:11-12 • Ps 5:4b-6a, 6b-7, 8 • Mt 8:23-27 Am 5:14-15, 21-24 • Ps 50:7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 16bc-17 • Mt 8:28-34 Am 7:10-17 • Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 • Mt 9:1-8 Eph 2:19-22 • Ps 117:1bc, 2 • Jn 20:24-29 Am 9:11-15 • Ps 85:9ab, 10, 11-12, 13-14 • Mt 9:14-17 Zec 9:9-10 • Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14 • Rom 8:9, 11-13 • Mt 11:25-30 Hos 2:16, 17b-18, 21-22 • Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 • Mt 9:18-26 Hos 8:4-7, 11-13 • Ps 115:3-4, 5-6, 7ab-8, 9-10 • Mt 9:32-38 Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12 • Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 • Mt 10:1-7 Hos 11:1-4, 8e-9 • Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16 • Mt 10:7-15 Hos 14:2-10 • Ps 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 14, 17 • Mt 10:16-23 Is 6:1-8 • Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5 • Mt 10:24-33

first century July 3

Crosiers

Named among the Twelve Apostles in all four Gospels, Thomas figured prominently in several stories in John. He said he was ready to die with Jesus, that he didn’t know where Jesus was going and so couldn’t follow, and famously doubted a post-Resurrection appearance until he himself saw the risen Lord. For this, history has called him “doubting Thomas,” but his name remains among the most popular Christian names. Four apocryphal writings were attributed to Thomas, and in church tradition he evangelized in Syria, Persia (now Iran) and India. Indian Catholics believe he was martyred and buried there. Thomas is the patron saint of India, builders and the blind.

Saints

SCRIPTURE SEARCH® Gospel for June 28, 2020 Matthew 10: 37-42

Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A: Hard lessons about being a disciple. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

MATTHEW MORE THAN ME WORTHY LOSE IT PROPHET ONE OF THESE COLD WATER

LOVES SON FINDS MY SAKE RIGHTEOUS LITTLE ONES DISCIPLE

MOTHER CROSS LIFE SENT ME GIVES A CUP I SAY TO YOU

 L

I

O N E O F T H E S E

Y R T U O Y O T Y A S A E

I

B S E N T M E O A

D T E G I

I

I

V E S N L R C

A S J H O J O K W C U

S W O D S T E H P O R P C D L E N L E M M E Y P I

L V

I

T

I

J O D K H X

P O W T F G F T U A T A L C

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M B E K H U S R N

E L M A T T H E W Y O A E M N A H T E R O M W N © 2020 TRI-C-A Publications; tri-c-a-publications.com

JUNE 25, 2020

Sun 28 Mon 29 Tues 30 Wed 1 Thurs 2 Fri 3 Sat 4 Sun 5 Mon 6 Tues 7 Wed 8 Thurs 9 Fri 10 Sat 11

SUNDAY, JUNE 28- SATURDAY, JULY 11

Thomas the Apostle

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

WEEK IN SCRIPTURE

shocking statement is not meant to compromise the love within our families, but to emphatically point out that love of God must always come first. We must seek to love God through our love for our family members and others; we must seek to honor God by the way in which we go about the details of our lives. Our baptism makes us new people, completely free from every obstacle and attachment that could hinder our relationship with the Lord. As baptized people, every moment of our day must be about working toward God’s greater honor and glory; St. Paul explains, “you too must think of yourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus” (Rom 6:11).

If the expectations seem high, they pale in contrast to the rewards promised to those who strive to meet them. Our Gospel and first reading speak of the blessings that will flow to those who carry out God’s will. The Gospel tells us that anyone who receives a prophet, a holy person, or any one in need will receive an abundant reward because in receiving this guest, they have received and honored Christ who entrusted that guest to them. This is touchingly illustrated in our first reading from the Second Book of Kings.

The Shunemite woman and her husband go out of their way to show kindness and hospitality to Elisha, known to be a man of God. In reward for their goodness, God favored them in their old age with a son, the greatest of all possible blessings for this elderly couple. God’s blessings always far exceed our efforts. This vignette is especially important in our day as we strive to welcome and serve every person who appears before us — recognizing in them, however similar to us or different they may be a beloved sister or brother in Christ — our baptism into Christ’s life and death certainly requires this.

These readings serve as a reminder that following Christ is never simply a matter of convenience; we must never be content with welcoming Christ only into carefully selected areas of our life that offer little challenge. Rather, as disciples, we are called to live our lives in complete devotion to Christ, allowing his agenda to rule our day, his example to shape our every word and deed. It is truly a demanding way of life, but the opportunities it opens to ennoble our own lives and those of others are unparalleled as we work toward the goal of all faith — our salvation.

Msgr. Fell is a Scripture scholar and director, diocesan Office for Priest Personnel

OUR FAITH

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

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(Mark 10:21)

Is God calling you to serve as a priest, deacon, religious sister or brother?

Agency offers aid, hope to needy

Children extend care to military veteran in

By Karen Corpora Correspondent

When Catholic Charities’ Child Care

During this time of uncertainty, shut down Supervisor Jenelle Clauson read andSite job loss, “The Catholic Spirit” took time to revisit the Catholicpost Charities food pantry a Facebook about a 104-year-old thatMarine’s opened in Phillipsburg fi ve years ago Valentine’s special plea for this month. wishes, her colleagues According she to gathered Brooke Renkens, Catholic Charities Service AreaElementary Director for at Hatchery Hill School, Hunterdon and Warren Counties, the food Hackettstown, and organized a project pantry on South Main Street was anticipatthe children thedid Catholic Chariingfor an increase in numbers in but that not ties’“We after school child happen. tried to analyze whycare there program to hasn’t been a huge and we think it respond to increase, the oldest living Marine’s is because most of our clientele receive NJ request.

SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Maj. Bill White, a World War II Program],” she said.

For the pastand two months, manyHeart clients recipient, veteran Purple received more help from the state, which his anthey interview with in shared some cases is wish almost during double what KTXL-TV in Sacramento, and Michaelita Popovice, program director of the Catholic Charities, Diowould normally receive.

New Jersey has Calif., Mercy Sister alsothe increased the amount of unemployment Metuchen food pantry in Phillipsburg, is shown during a recent interview. request went viral. He toldcese theoftelebenefits, so some families have more money — Karen Corpora photo vision hosts that one of his favorite hobin their pockets. bies is scrapbooking, which The staff at the pantry, one of the many has fanyhelped Gellock, said, “Working here definitely Cassandra and her family receive assistance ministries supported by the Bishop’s Annual helps to realize how many needs there each month. She has also received help with him to keep track of his extensivemelife.

Appeal, made phone calls to clients who are to be met.” utilities and with finding employment at her Now heforwanted towho add some visit regularly services but have not Valentine Jonas Horvath, a senior at Phillipsburg current job. “We truly appreciate everything cardsSome to his collection mementos. appeared. people were afraid of to come High School, was looking for a way to pro- Catholic Charities has done for us,” she said. out and others did not realizegot that the use his new found time and has “It will not be forgotten. We are looking forOnce word outpantry aboutductively White’s was open. volunteered every day. ward to getting through this with the help of request, staffopen and children Bene“We have been Monday through from “I was just sitting at home so I wanted God and people like you.” dicttheA.entire Cucinella Elementary School, Friday time,” Renkens stated to come to help. This is a good environment Ben, another client, said, “I am very Children in helping the Catholic Charities' after school proudly.

“There has been no break in serand nice people to work with.

I like thankful that Catholic Charities deliveredchild ca Long Valley, and Willow Grove ElHatchery Hill Elementary School, Hackettstown, vice, and our hours have stayed the same.” people,” he said. food to me. The agency makes my life bet- send th ementary School joined The procedure is the only thing with that Hatchery “I am gratefulMajor to be able to still be here ter.”

Bill White, a World War II veteran and Purple Heart andat together they would sent three large hasHill changed the pantry. People and serve people in this nice facility,” Sister Through the generosity of the Phil— photo co normally come inside andof meethand-made with Sharon Michaelita said. “We have a mission to help lipsburg community, the pantry has received envelopes full Valentine Giammarco, the office assistant, who would people. That is what we are called to do and nearly $30,000 in monetary donations, about and wishes honor White toto be here. We had to change $6,000 in gift cards and close to 1,000 bags askcards some intake questions. to Now, they are I feeland blessed child supportgood to will Maj. White anddonated we are bring love and joy to the retired Marine. met curbside. A staff member meets them some plans but something come of food sinceall the repandemic started.care for at the door to inquire about the family.

The school minded of how important it is to provide out of this.”

Donations are still being accepted for both district “We are so thrilled about the response size of the family determines the number of People who recognition are served at the to center the food pantry and the thrift store.

A dropthose who have served Somerset and W weof food received the school receive district,” bags they willfrom be given.

Currently, more than food; they are welcomed off area is located in the back of the building For more our country.”

Care Service AreaasDirector all said bags areChild pre-made and ready to be taken part of a community that gives support where donations will be received during outKrista to the clients child Last Catholic assistance. Giammarco, whoyear, is lovingly businessCharities, hours. For helpDiovisitors areCharities’ asked to Glynn. “The staff andandchildren Unfortunately, the pantry has lost most known as Mommacese Sharon,ofremained at her ring the bell. Personal care items ccdom.org/child cannot be Metuchen provided affordable were so excited to send their post love and of its volunteers.

Many of them are retirees every day without taking time off dur- purchased with any money not specifically and are considered at high risk of the virus. ing the lockdown. When asked what keeps marked for that purpose. There is always a There are normally 60 volunteers, but now her coming back, she humbly said, “I am need for those products. the pantry is functioning with seven. here because people need me.”

Volunteers are always welcome in both “We were lucky enough to get two She knows everyone by name and the food pantry and the thrift store, and help staff people from our child care program to knows about their family and their needs be- will be needed to get the store ready to open work with us for now,” said Mercy Sister cause they confide in her. “People who are later this month. All profits from the store Mary Michaelita Popovice, program direc- struggling are looking for a helpful friendly are used to buy food for the pantry. tor of the center. “The people who we have face. It is easier to ask for help when you “I am amazed at how well we were are very valuable because we wouldn’t be know someone cares.” Whatever they need, able to pivot and still meet the needs of the able to operate without them. They are a she tries to provide. “It was not in the job de- community. We didn’t close for an hour or blessing to us.” scription for anybody to have to go through even a minute,” Renkens boasted. “It’s imCatholic Charities child care staff were this pandemic, but if I had to do it again, I pressive at how our staff was able to just put laid off when the schools closed. Two of would do it the same way.” their own fears aside to serve the mission of these workers transitioned to serve at the There are so many who are apprecia- the church and meet everybody where they food pantry. One of these workers, Tif- tive of all they receive from the pantry. were at.”

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FAITH ALIVE

be better for them if a large millstone were Catechism explains this in the follow- but without full knowledge or without hung around their neck and they were ing way: “Grave matter is specified by complete consent” (ccc 1862). the Ten Commandments, corresponding Finally, while acknowledging sin as thrown into the sea” (Mk 9:42).

Later, St. Paul echoing Christ’s sen- to the answer of Jesus to the rich young a personal act, the Catechism also cautiments, says the following: “The acts of man [in St. Mark’s Gospel 10:19]: “‘Do tions us about our “responsibility for the not kill, Do not commit sins committed by others when we coopthe flesh are obvious: adultery, Do not steal, erate in them: Mortal sin “destroys sexual immorality, imDo not bear false wit— by participating directly and purity and debauchery; charity in our hearts ness, Do not defraud, voluntarily in them; idolatry and witchcraft; Honor your father and — by ordering, advising, praising, hatred, discord, jealby a grave violation your mother.’ The grav- or approving them; ousy, fits of rage, selfish

By Father John Gerard Hillier of God’s law; it turns ity of sins is more or — by not disclosing or not hindering ambition, dissensions, less great: murder is them when we have an obligation to do so; factions and envy; [us] away from God, graver than theft. One — by protecting evil-doers” (ccc The 1950’s television personality, Arch- drunkenness, orgies, and who is [our] ultimate must also take into ac- 1868). bishop Fulton Sheen, spoke memorable the like. I warn you, as count who is wronged: Born again through the waters of one-liners that transcended his own gen- I did before, that those end and [our] beati- violence against par- baptism, we are claimed by Christ Our eration. Even now his talks are available who live like this will ents is in itself graver Savior as God’s children. Through this on DVD and YouTube. While listening not inherit the kingdom tude, by preferring than violence against a first sacrament, the stain of sin — both to one of his recordings, I heard him say, of God” (Gal 5:19-21). an inferior good to stranger” (ccc 1858). original and personal — is also cleansed, as if it was meant as a public address anThe Catechism To commit mortal and when we later commit personal nouncement, “sin is in the blood.” This tells us, “sins are rightly him” (ccc 1855). sin, we know deep- sins, Christ again watches out for us by made little sense to me at the time, but lat- evaluated according down it is a sin, but find offering the abundance of God’s grace er I came to understand what Archbishop to their gravity” (ccc a way to explain it away through the Sacrament of Penance (ConSheen meant. His point was that sin is so 1854). It continues, “The distinction or justify it in our minds and hearts, so fession). While discussing these and pervasive that it has a way of pervading between mortal and venial sin, already that we go forward and commit the of- similar themes, St. Augustine, in one of the very core of our lives. Thus, this sec- evident in Scripture, became part of the tion of the Catechism opens with the title: tradition of the Church” (ccc 1854). Still, fense anyway (even though it is a serious his writings, asks: “What then is our hope [after Baptism]?” His answer: “Above “The Gravity of Sin.” the Catechism cautions: “although we offense).

A person commits less serious or all, ‘Confession.’”

Jesus himself warns us about the can judge that an act is in itself a grave Father Hillier serves as Director gravity of sin. In St. Matthew’s Gospel, offense [or mortal sin], we must entrust venial sin when, in a less serious matter, one “does not observe the standard preof the Diocesan Office of the Pontifical for example, he said: “...whoever breaks judgment of persons to the justice and scribed by the moral law, or when they Missions, the Office for Persons with one of the least of these commandments mercy of God” (ccc 1861). and teaches others to do so will be called We generally know the difference disobey the moral law in a grave matter, Disabilities, and Censor Liborum least in the kingdom of heaven. But between a venial and mortal sin. For whoever obeys and teaches these com- example, “venial sin weakens charity… mandments will be called greatest in the impedes the soul’s progress in the exerkingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your cise of the virtues and the practice of the righteousness surpasses that of the scribes moral good… [As well], deliberate and and Pharisees, you will not enter into the unrepented venial sin disposes us little by William D. Ard CRPS® kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:19-20). In this little to commit mortal sin” (ccc 1863).

Chartered Retirement Planning Specialist Scriptural passage, Jesus is teaching us Mortal sin “destroys charity in our hearts Financial Advisor the difference between mortal and venial by a grave violation of God’s law; it turns sin — some sins that will separate us from [us] away from God, who is [our] ulti150 John F Kennedy Pkwy God for all eternity (mortal sin) and some mate end and [our] beatitude, by preferShort Hills, NJ, 07078 that will not (venial sin). As the Catechism ring an inferior good to him” (ccc 1855).

(908) 518-5438 explains: “Venial sin does not deprive The Church, however, teaches that the sinner of sanctifying grace, friend- “mortal sin requires full knowledge and william.d.ard@morganstanley.com ship with God, charity, and consequently complete consent” (ccc 1859). What NMLS # 1293909 eternal happiness” (ccc 1863). Mortal sin exactly does this mean? The Catechism without repentance, however, “causes explains: “For a sin to be mortal, three exclusion from Christ’s kingdom and the conditions must together be met: Mortal eternal death of hell, for our freedom has sin is sin whose object is grave matter and © 2019 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 2639038 08/19 the power to make choices for ever, with which is also committed with full knowlno turning back” (ccc 1861). edge and deliberate consent” (ccc 1857).

A passage from St. Mark’s Gospel In other words, a mortal sin is “grave” goes even further when Jesus warns those or serious, generally involving one of who give scandal to children: “If anyone the Ten Commandments or something causes one of theseFamily little ones —Placement, those related to them, whereby damaging our Care who believe in me — to stumble, it would relationship with God, others or self. The 1050 Long Hill Road, Stirling, NJ 07980 Article 139 - Catechism of the Catholic Church Series Paragraphs 1854-1869

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OUR DIOCESE

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JUNE 25, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

Crossword Puzzle ACROSS 1 Roman governor who condemned Jesus 5 Liturgical year start 8 Time of preparation for a feast 10 Sin against the fifth Commandment 11 ___ Domini 12 They were found in Juan Diego’s cape at Guadalupe 13 Christmas celebrates Jesus’ ___ 15 Jesus’ name for the Father 16 Sacre ___ 18 Catholic star, Brennan, who appeared in “Private Benjamin” 20 A St. Thomas 24 Biblical expanding agent 25 “___ in peace” 26 Holy one 28 Saint for managers of the Hilton and the like 30 How many times each day the soldiers of Joshua marched around Jericho 32 An angel 33 Catholic actor who was a novice in the LaSalle Brothers 34 Catholic Republican National Committee Chairman, formerly 35 Catholic university in Texas

DOWN 2 The false prophet Zedekiah made himself two horns out of this 3 Holy Spirit 4 “…___ this day be at my side…”

5 Charity 6 Where King Saul consulted a medium 7 Father of Abram 9 Good News 11 ___ Meal 14 Ordinary ___ 16 Easter treat 17 Archdiocese in Morocco 19 The Archdiocese of Dubuque is here 21 Square piece of linen placed in the center of the altar during Mass 22 Donate a portion of money to church 23 Office of the pope 26 Religious offshoots 27 Princess of the Netherlands whose conversion to Catholicism caused something of a national issue 28 French clergyman 29 “…that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and ___.”

31 Site of first miracle

Answers can be found on page 23

CAPTION.... --Artwork, courtesy of CNS

storm suddenly came upon the sea.

The boat was soon being tossed around and swamped by waves. But Jesus slept through the commotion.

The apostles, however, were wide awake with fear. They shook Jesus awake.

“Lord, save us! We are perishing!” they cried.

“Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Jesus said.

Then Jesus stood up. He rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.

The apostles were amazed.

“What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” they asked one another.

When they reached the other side of the sea, in the territory of the Gadarenes, a herd of swine could be seen in the distance. Two demoniacs came from the nearby tombs and met Jesus on the shore.

“If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine,” the demons begged Jesus.

“Go then!” Jesus commanded.

The demons came out of the two people and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea.

Read more about it: Matthew 8 Q&A 1. What sea did Jesus and the apostles cross?

2. What were the apostles in the boat afraid of?

TRIVIA: Whose prophesy about the Messiah was fulfilled by the healings of Jesus? (Hint: Matthew 8:16-17)

Trivia Answer: The prophet Isaiah

One day, Jesus went up the mountain to preach to the people.

When he came down, crowds of people followed him. One man, a leper, approached Jesus.

“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean,” he said.

Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” The leprosy was cleansed immediately.

Jesus continued to heal people. In Capernaum, he was approached by a centurion.

“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully,” the centurion said.

Jesus said that he would come to the man’s house and heal the servant.

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed,” the centurion replied.

“You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you,” said Jesus, and the servant was healed.

On another day, Jesus saw the crowd around him. He and the apostles got in a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee.

As they were crossing, a violent

OUR DIOCESE

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Catholic News Service

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Kids Corner: Jesus calms a raging storm at sea

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT JUNE 25, 2020

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AROUND THE DIOCESE

OUR DIOCESE

Prayer and Worship

July 3-4, 10 a.m. – The World Apostolate of Fatima Shrine, Washington, will hold an overnight vigil. The day will begin with confessions followed by a Rosary Procession. Mass will be held at noon with Adoration until 3 p.m. The all-night vigil will be held from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Confessions will be held at 10:30 a.m. on July 4 followed by Rosary with meditation. Mass will be held at

NECROLOGY

12:15 p.m. The Divine Mercy Chaplet and enrollment in the Brown Scapular will also be held. The Blue Army Shrine staff is following all directives as per New Jersey State Health Officials. For details, call (908) 6891700, ext. 224 or visit www.bluearmy.com.

July 13, 10:30 a.m. – The World Apostolate of Fatima Shrine, Washington, invites all to a Day of Prayer. The day will begin with

Rev. Joseph S. Banach July 3, 2000

Rev. Joseph M. Kurtz July 21, 1982

Rev. Lawrence J. Casholi July 22, 2001

Rev. Thomas Kazmer July 26, 1989

Rev. Francis L. Oterino July 5, 2004

Rev. Sergio Reyes July 11, 1992

Rev. John M. Skwara July 11, 2008

Rev. Msgr. Edward J. Dalton July 22, 1992

Rev. Joseph B. Szulwach July 28, 2010

Rev. Walter A. French July 5, 1995 Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Sergel July 6, 1995

Rev. Kevin P. Duggan July 6, 2017

Rev. John H. MacDonald July 29, 1996

Rev. Thomas Perunilam July 26, 2018

confessions followed by a Rosary Procession. The day will include a guest speaker and Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Joseph Perry at 1:15 p.m. Blessing of religious articles, the Fatima Farewell and enrollment

in the Brown Scapular will be included.

The Blue Army Shrine staff is following all directives as per New Jersey State Health Officials. For details, call (908) 689-1700, ext. 224 or visit www.bluearmy.com.

Physician from Saint Peter's to lead national group Dr. Nayan K. Kothari, chairman, Department of Medicine and program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, has been named Governor of the New Jersey Southern Region of the American College of Physicians (ACP), the national organization of internists.

ACP is the largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States. The organization works diligently to support the physician-patient relationship and the profession of internal medicine. ACP-NJ has more than 4,800 members and The Board of Governors serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Regents implementing national projects in addition to representing members at the national level.

ACP Governors are elected by local ACP members and serve four-year terms.

Their key responsibilities include advocacy on behalf of the local membership to communicate concerns to the state and national level.

Kothari is board-certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, and geriatrics.

He was instrumental in establishing Saint

Dr. Nayan K. Kothari is chair of the Department of Medicine and program director of Internal Medicine Residency Program at St. Peter’s University Hospital.

Peter’s Simulation Center for Interprofessional Learning. The Simulation Center promotes the development of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

Within the Center, physicians, nurses and other healthcare personnel participate in supervised, hands-on training in practices and procedures, maintenance of certifications, and in dealing with complex and newly introduced protocols that can save lives.

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Duties include, but are not limited to, maintaining accurate parishioner records (parish registrations, sacramental records, and records of contributions), answering the telephone and directing calls or taking messages as necessary, and other daily functions needed to provide information and support to the parish community, including arranging Mass intentions and sponsorship eligibility certificates, and assisting with the arrangement of funerals and weddings. Applicant must be a practicing Catholic familiar with the day to day operations of a parish and the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church.

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

P I R O A N G A B P E I O W S A E C H T S T

and peace that is born from authentic justice rooted in the dignity of each person made in the image and likeness of God. “All forms of bias, bigotry and racism have no place in the community of Christ,” said Bishop Checchio.

“Our baptism calls us to work tirelessly in all the ways we can to overcome these sins against our sisters and brothers.”

For more information and resources on overcoming racism, visit: diometuchen.org/enduringlove.

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Crossword Puzzle Answers

Checchio, was June 19 – the Feast of the Sacred Heart – at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen; and the final prayer service was scheduled to be held June 26 at Church of the Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield.

The livestreamed prayer services will be available from the diocese’s website: www.diometuchen.org, and Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ diocesemetuchen.

Through the prayer services, Bishop Checchio said he seeks to bring an increased focus on unity

OUR DIOCESE

actions,” the bishop said. “Hopefully, ranking universities in the country — praise God, our current situation lights said they often face the thought that a spark and becomes transformational people may think they are not worthy for all of us and for our society.” of all they have achieved, even if it is As part of the diocese’s spiritual a direct result of their merits. response to racism, Bishop Checchio The mental exhaustion can creep directed a time of sustained prayer in in at any time, the students added, the month of June, a month traditioneven when it relates to something as ally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of minute as taking a Jesus. By holding group photo. livestreamed dioce“All forms of bias, “One of the stusan prayer services in bigotry and racism June, he said “we are dents told me that when she is chosen trying to raise conhave no place in for a special role, she sciousness and bring can’t help but wonder the community of it up in our prayers if she was chosen beto move people’s Christ. Our baptism hearts.” cause of her efforts or because it would make Taking its name, calls us to work for a good photo opin part, from the Unittirelessly in all the portunity,” the bishop ed States Conference noted.

“Gratefully, of Catholic Bishops’ ways we can to she acknowledged that 2018 pastoral letter her school would not against racism, “Open overcome these perpetrate that kind of Wide our Hearts: sins against our injustice.”

The Enduring Call Noting that “God to Love,” the prayer sisters and made us all in his imservices called “Enbrothers.” age and likeness and during Love: Prayer we believe that when to the Sacred Heart of — Bishop James F. we look at another Jesus for racial harChecchio person, we believe we mony, peace, justice can see God in them,” and healing in our naBishop Checchio said this moment tion,” are being livestreamed from difin history will hopefully “lead us to ferent parishes throughout the diocese a more just society and bring about every Friday at 5 p.m. during June. a spiritual awakening of all of us, of The first prayer service was held God’s goodness to us and God’s gifts June 5 at Sacred Heart Church, a worto us.” ship site of Holy Family Parish, New “Racism is a justice issue, but it’s Brunswick; the second was June 12 at a spiritual crisis too, one that requires St. John the Evangelist Parish, Dunela spiritual response in addition to our len; the third, presided over by Bishop Continued from page 11

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Bishop holds virtual meeting with black students to discuss racism

24 OUR DIOCESE JUNE 25, 2020 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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